Speaking during a meeting of 10 county governments under the Central Region Economic Bloc (CEREB), Kananu said the bloc can take advantage of Nairobi’s five million-plus population to build a strategic partnership for its products. Cereb comprises 10 counties including Embu, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Meru, Murang’a, Nakuru, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Tharaka Nithi with a combined population of 10.7 million. The region has a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Sh2.1 trillion ($20.5 billion), larger than Rwanda and Burundi’s GDP and would be 113 out of 217 countries globally. Rwanda has a GDP of $10.4 billion while Burundi’s GDP is $3 billion. “There is need to leverage on economies of scale through the implementation of joint projects or activities, as and where necessary, to supplement what individual counties will do towards improving the livelihoods of the people of these counties,” said Kananu.